Elasmobranchs are particularly prone to accumulating contaminants due to their life history patterns and relatively high trophic position. However, several compounds, especially contaminants of emerging concern, have still not been well studied in this group. Here, we aimed to determine the occurrence and concentrations of several inorganic and organic contaminants in different tissues of the Brazilian guitarfish Pseudobatos horkelii. This species is a critically endangered species, endemic from the Southwest Atlantic which uses southern Brazilian waters as a nursery habitat. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), emerging pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) and trace metals were determined in five biological tissues in order to assess the accumulation and organotropism of these compounds. Except for chlorothalonil and triclosan, all compounds were detected in, at least, one tissue, mostly in liver samples. All compounds differed among tissues, with liver presenting the higher concentrations of several contaminants, followed by muscle and gills. PAHs and PPCPs were the most detected analytes and presented the highest concentrations among tissues. Diclofenac levels were determined, for the first time in elasmobranchs, and were relatively high, when compared to other fishes. Finally, relatively high concentrations of PAHs, dichlofluanid and octocrylene in muscle might be suggestive of chronic exposure, presenting also human health implications. Regarding trace metals, contrary to most elasmobranch studies, Hg levels were low in all tissues, whereas Cd and Pb here higher in liver, and gills and blood samples, respectively. Our results indicate that P. horkelii is exposed to several organic and inorganic which might affect this species in a long-term scale. Concerning the determination of emerging contaminants, it is likely that other elasmobranchs are also exposed to these compounds and special attention should be given to this issue in order to predict future effects on this group.

This study aimed to assess the maternal offloading of metals in the Brazilian guitarfishPseudobatos horkelii through determining essential (Cr, Cu, Fe) and non-essential (Cd, Hg, Pb) metal concentrations along two generations of this species: pregnant females and offspring. The maximum transfer capacity (ECER) and offspring/mother ratio were calculated to estimate the extent of offloading, as well as the proportion of contaminants presented in offspring related to the maternal concentrations. Transfer efficiency was element-dependent. Chromium had the highest ECER (99.7%), followed by Hg (67.7%). Other essential metals were less transferred (9.6–35.6%) and Cd and Pb were not detected in uterine content samples. The relationships between maternal length and concentration, as well as transfer capacity were not significant, indicating that females might be continuously exposed, and that offloading might not excrete metals efficiently. On the other hand, embryos are exposed to these elements which could impair embryonic development.

Bioindicator species are increasingly valuable in environmental pollution monitoring, and elasmobranch species include many suitable candidates for that role. By measuring contaminants and employing biomarkers of effect in relevant elasmobranch species, scientists may gain important insights about the impacts of pollution in marine ecosystems. This review compiles biomarkers applied in elasmobranchs to assess the effect of pollutants (e.g., metals, persistent organic pollutants, and plastics), and the environmental changes induced by anthropogenic activities (e.g., shifts in marine temperature, pH, and oxygenation). Over 30 biomarkers measured in more than 12 species were examined, including biotransformation biomarkers (e.g., cytochrome P450 1A), oxidative stress-related biomarkers (e.g., superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation, catalase, and vitamins), stress proteins (e.g., heat shock protein 70), reproductive and endocrine biomarkers (e.g., vitellogenin), osmoregulation biomarkers (e.g., trimethylamine N-oxide, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, and plasma ions), energetic and neurotoxic biomarkers (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase, lactate, and cholinesterases), and histopathological and morphologic biomarkers (e.g., tissue lesions and gross indices).

Exposure risk is assessed based on modeling suitable habitat of large pelagic fish and oil spill scenarios originating at three wells located in the western GM's deep waters. Since the fate of the oil depends on the oceanographic conditions present during the accident, as well as the magnitude and duration of the spill, which are not known a priori, the scenarios used are a statistical representation of the area in which oil spilled from the well could be found, given all possible outcomes. The ecological vulnerability assessment identified a subset of bony fish with low-medium vulnerability and elasmobranchs with medium-high vulnerability. The oiling probability and exposure risk of both bony fish and elasmobranchs hotspots vary by well analyzed. Thus, these results provide essential information for a risk management plan for the assessed species and others with economic or conservation importance distributed in the GM and worldwide.

Trace elements have the potential to bioaccumulate in marine organisms and to biomagnify towards the upper levels of marine trophic webs, resulting in a range of negative effects on organisms. Elasmobranchs are highly susceptible to bioaccumulation of trace metals, while their consumption by humans is increasing worldwide. Therefore, it is important to monitor the trace metal content in the edible tissues of elasmobranchs. This work reveals the content of 12 trace metals in the edible tissues of 10 elasmobranch species caught in Greek waters. Levels above the permissible limits for Hg and Pb were found in some species, while analysis of the lifetime consumption risk for adults and children using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), revealed a high risk for two of the most toxic substances on the priority list for substances, namely As and Hg. These are preliminary results, and further research is required to understand better the issue.

The present study documents, for the first time, the ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by Longnose stingrays in the Western Atlantic Ocean. We examined 23 specimens of Hypanus guttatus from the Brazilian Amazon coast and found microplastic particles in the stomach contents of almost a third of the individuals. Fibers were the most frequent item (82%), blue was the most frequent color (47%) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) was the most frequent polymer recorded (35%), as identified by 2D imaging - Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The ingestion of microplastics by Longnose stingray has not been previously recorded. The findings of the present study thus provide an important baseline for future studies of microplastic ingestion by dasyatid rays and other batoid species in the Atlantic Ocean, and contribute to the broader understanding of the spatial and temporal dimensions of the growing problem of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems and organisms.

A global movement towards decreases in elasmobranch overfishing has been noted in the last decades. However, discussion concerning the effects of POP contamination on the health and survival of these organisms is still recent. These compounds can affect the immune and endocrine systems of both sharks and batoids, impairing reproduction and impacting species recruitment, acting synergistically alongside overfishing effects. In this context, this study investigated the concentration of organochlorine compounds in liver of 29 individuals of Rioraja agassizii, a commercially exploited skate classified as Vulnerable by IUCN and as Endangered in Brazil. Contaminant concentrations were higher in adults compared to juveniles. Distinct contamination profiles were observed, suggesting different groups within the investigated population and revealing contaminants as a potential tool to assess population ecology. PCB levels were considered a concern as they resemble concentrations in ecosystems from the northern hemisphere, where deleterious effects on elasmobranchs have been observed.

Metal contamination has never been assessed in Ampullae of Lorenzini. This study employed Rhizoprionodon lalandii, as an ecotoxicological model to investigate potential metal accumulation in Ampullae of Lorenzini jelly. No differences between sexes were observed regarding jelly metal concentrations at Rio das Ostras (RJ) or Santos (SP). Statistically significant correlations were noted between total lengths (TL) and condition factors and several metals at both sampling sites, demonstrating the potential for Chondrichthyan sensory capacity disruption and possible effects on foraging success. Maternal metal transfer to Ampullae jelly was confirmed. Rhizoprionodon lalandii is thus, a good model to assess Ampullae of Lorenzini contamination, as this electrosensory organ seems to be highly vulnerable to metal contamination.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which are resistant to biodegradation and therefore accumulate in the marine environment. In Australia, POPs occur in high concentrations primarily in costal water near farming regions and urban centres. From contaminated sediments and biota, POPs are transferred and biomagnified in larger marine organisms. We quantified POPs concentrations in 57 individuals from ten species of sharks and rays caught in bather-protection gillnets deployed off northern New South Wales, Australia. Polychlorinated biphenyls, DDTs and HCB were detected in all species. For some individuals, concentrations were at levels known to have deleterious sub-lethal effects. Overall, the POP concentrations analysed in this study were comparable to those in similar species from more polluted regions, and may have negative impacts on longer-term health. Future research is warranted to investigate spatio-temporal patterns of species-specific contaminant loads and their implications.